My Democratic colleagues and I would like to collect 51,000 signatures for the President’s 51st birthday. Will you add your name?

— Nancy

Dick Wadhams, former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, can’t figure out how he got on a Democratic mailing list but he said he’s being hit up all the time by Democrats for donations — or just to send birthday wishes.

Wadhams said he won’t be signing the birthday card for Democratic President Barack Obama’s birthday on Aug. 4.

“But I do wish him well on his last birthday in the White House,” Wadhams added.

President Obama’s campaign team has had a field day digging up quotes from prominent Colorado Republicans who believe candidates should release their tax returns.

Former U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, GOP operative Dick Wadhams and U.S. Senate candidate Jane Norton have all talked about the need for candidates to release several years of tax returns.

“People ought to know, not necessarily how much you earned but what your source of income is and how you made your living. It makes a difference. It’s your background,” Allard said in his 1996 U.S. Senate campaign.

An entire neighborhood burns near the foothills of Colorado Springs June 26. The nine-member Colorado Congressional delegation asked FEMA for additional support Thursday for fire victims and communities.

WASHINGTON — Colorado’s nine members of Congress asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday for more federal help after the two devastating High Park and Waldo Canyon wildfires.

In a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, the four Republicans and five Democrats said the destruction was worse than originally thought and Colorado needs more help.

Specifically, the delegation seeks “FEMA Individual Assistance Programs” which makes housing support and other financial assistance available to Colorado families and businesses. The additional support would also make help available to other burned areas outside the two fires in these counties — including the Woodland Heights Fire in Larimer County.

The flier is from businessman Brian Watson of Greenwood Village, who is trying to unseat Kagan, of Cherry Hills Village, in a newly drawn House District 3 that is much more friendly to Republicans. The race is considered key to deciding which party controls the House next year.

“It’s his first mailer,” Kagan said. “It’s disappointing that he has chosen to campaign in such a juvenile matter when elections should be an opportunity for serious discussion about the best way forward for the state. House District 3 deserves better than that.”

Watson said today his message was about how people perceive the political process not as insult to Kagan. “We’d like to be an answer to that,” he said.

The liberal organization ProgressNow Colorado never would be mistaken for members of the Scott Gessler fan club. But in advance of a Monday hearing, the group is ramping up its criticism of the Republican secretary of state, calling him “the most partisan secretary in Colorado’s modern history.”

The group also relaunched its “Gessler Watch” project, a website that compiles news stories, blog items and video clips of the former Republican elections attorney.

Gessler has deflected the criticism with such conviction that the capitol press corps dubbed him the “honey badger” (after this You Tube video) – a nickname he embraces. He also insists that his critics are simply upset because he is shaking up the status quo.

Colorado’s 6th Congressional District ranked No.1 on a list of five House races in swing states that are worth keeping close tabs on.

A National Journal post by executive editor Josh Kraushaar, highlights the race between two-term incumbent Republican Congressman Mike Coffman and Democratic state Rep. Joe Miklosi. The post explains why the contest, among other reasons, is competitive after redistricting and how the district is now around 16 percent Latino.

With discourse about fundraising aplenty, the posting gives a snapshot of a key voting demographic in this suburban-Denver district. When it comes to voter registration Republicans are at 39 percent, Democrats at 32 percent and unaffilated’s are at 29 percent.

In a Denver Post article this week, the 6th District is among the three races both Republicans and Democrats are targeting nationally and, for now, appear to be investing millions of dollars into.

Other races that made the list were Iowa’s CD 3 where Democratic Rep. Leonard Boswell faces Republican Rep. Tom Latham and Florida’s CD 18 where Republican Rep. Allen West is being challenged by Democrat Patrick Murphy.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.